Even after receiving a $2 million grant, Centerville council learned customers’ water rates and charges must increase to remove lead lines and rehab a water tower.
Council President Dan Wandersee said a state Senate bill being considered would mandate lead line replacement. If it doesn’t act now, the town might forever miss out on funding so residents would eventually pay the full price.
Wandersee said Centerville would be way ahead of other communities by having more than half its lead lines replaced when this phase is finished.
Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors said Centerville customers will need to cover the remaining cost, approximately $4 million.
When construction and nonconstruction costs are combined, the water tower project costs $840,000 and the distribution and lead service line improvements are $5,248,505.
Customers’ current $10.72 minimum metered water usage (3,330 gallons) would increase over three phases to $12.33, then $13.07 and finally $13.72.
The monthly minimum charge for the smallest meter would increase from $35.70 to $41.06, then $43.52 and finally $45.69.
Public and private hydrants would increase from $485.98 to $558.88, $592.41 and finally $627.95.
Council approved bids of $3,936,775 from JG Case for service improvements and $631,800 to L & T Painting.
The public may comment at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 12, in town hall, 204 E. Main.
Police staffing
Police Chief Ed Buchholz said Officer Devon Robbins’ resignation is effective March 15. Robbins’ wedding is upcoming, and he’s joining his fiancee who works in the Indianapolis area for financial reasons.
Two more officers’ departures for other nearby law enforcement agencies are expected because Centerville can’t match pay.
Buchholz said despite increasing base pay to $43,100, low-cost health insurance and adding five-year contracts and take-home vehicles, Centerville can’t compete with larger agencies also facing hiring shortages.
Richmond Police Department offers nearly $56,750 for first class patrol hires, and lateral hires as much as $63,000.
Councilor Josh Tudor, who works in law enforcement, said some agencies 45 minutes away are paying up to $80,000, and it’s rare for anyone already academy trained to come to a town, so towns face training costs.
Buchholz and Wandersee said they believe state officials need to intervene. Wandersee said property tax caps have hurt public safety.
Tudor said he realizes taxpayers don’t want to pay more, but asked if they’re willing to wait on a county unit to arrive when needed.
Buchholz said CPD intends to keep up its services, but overtime costs will increase.
In other business
- Centerville council gave initial support to residents wanting to organize two complementary events at or near Maplewood Park. A farmers market would be offered most Saturday evenings from May-October. A Battle of the Bands would start in June, leading to Archway Days in August. Organizers will return with more details.
- Centerville did not receive a state grant to renovate its fire station in its third attempt. Decatur County received $500,000 to stabilize its YMCA building and Vevay won $459,410 for Hoosier Theatre’s exterior rehabilitation.
- Town Manager Kevin Slick said the Mattie Harris Road electrical upgrade is complete and everything went smoothly.
A version of this article appeared in the March 6 2024 print edition of the Western Wayne News.